Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B1 (thiamine pyrophosphate)
For the health condition: Confusion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4
Vitamin B1 (thiamine), particularly in its active form thiamine pyrophosphate, has strong scientific support for use in treating confusion, especially when associated with deficiency states. Thiamine deficiency is classically linked to Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a neurological disorder characterized by confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia. This syndrome most commonly affects individuals with chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, or certain medical conditions that impair thiamine absorption or increase its requirements. Numerous clinical studies and case reports have shown that prompt administration of thiamine can reverse confusion and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in such settings. Thiamine acts as a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism, and its deficiency impairs cerebral energy utilization, leading to neuronal dysfunction and confusion. Guidelines from neurological and medical societies recommend immediate thiamine supplementation in at-risk patients presenting with acute confusion or altered mental status, making it a standard of care in these scenarios. However, outside of deficiency states, there is little evidence to support the use of thiamine for confusion due to other causes. Therefore, while the use of thiamine for confusion is scientifically validated in cases of deficiency, its benefit for confusion in the absence of thiamine deficiency is not established.
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Other health conditions supported by Vitamin B1 (thiamine pyrophosphate)
AlcoholismAnorexia
Confusion
Diabetes
Fatigue
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Peripheral Neuropathy